Padres Rumors: MLB Insider Doesn't See a Shohei Ohtani Trade Happening

The MLB trade deadline is quickly approaching and the San Diego Padres have some big questions that they need to answer. One of those will be whether or not the team goes all-in to try and acquire Angels two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani. Ohtani isn't currently available but could be if the Angels continue to spiral over the next few weeks.

San Diego will be one of the big spenders this offseason when Ohtani becomes a free agent. So it's not out of the realm of possibility that they could try and get him early on and then work the next few months to convince him to stay.

However, one MLB insider doesn't see the Padres being players in the Ohtani sweepstakes, at least through a trade. Insider Jim Bowden sees it as unlikely and that the Padres are more likely to add around the edges rather than make another splash for another star.

"The Padres have enough talent to land Ohtani ... But they significantly depleted their farm system last year in the Juan Soto trade, and it’s hard to see them doing it again. Their team has plenty of stars already, so don’t expect them to chase another one now. Instead, they’ll be working on improving the edges of the roster at the trade deadline"

Per The Athletic

If the Padres wanted to make a move for Ohtani, it seems more likely to get him in free agency than anything. San Diego would be better off to try and sign him outright without giving up any other talent. They already made their big move last season and instead of going farther down

The Padres owe it to their fans to make sure they are a sustainable winning organization and if they were to unload more prospects and talent to get Ohtani, it would serve them in the short-term. But long-term, they could be in big trouble.

San Diego would be smart to stay out of any trade for Ohtani and instead work to get their roster corrected with the strong lineup they already have in place.